A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Suture Bridge and Medially Based Single-Row Rotator Cuff Repair in Medium-Sized Supraspinatus Tears

Abstract

To compare the clinical and imaging outcomes between the suture bridge technique (SB) and the medially based single-row technique (medSR) in patients with 1- to 3-cm tear sizes. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively (at 12 and 24months) using the modified University of California, Los Angeles scoring system; active range of motion (flexion and external rotation); and a visual analog scale for pain. Healing status was examined by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical and imaging evaluations were completed by 92 patients at 1-year follow-up and by 74 patients at 2years. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups across all measures at final follow-up: The University of California, Los Angeles scores were 33.4 points in SB patients and 33.0 points in medSR patients (P= .58); the visual analog scale scores were 6mm and 7mm, respectively (P= .38); the active flexion angles were 161° and 159°, respectively (P= .34); and the external rotation angles were 49° and 52°, respectively (P= .37). Retears were observed in 6.5% of SB patients and 2.1% of medSR patients (P= .31). Medial cuff failure was observed only in SB patients (4.3%, 2 cases), whereas incomplete healing (deep-layer retraction pattern) was observed only in medSR patients (8.7%, 4 cases). Neo-tendon regeneration in the medSR group was observed in 93% of patients. This study did not show any significant differences in the clinical outcomes and cuff integrity between the 2 treatment groups at final follow-up; however, medial cuff failure was observed only in the SB group, and incomplete healing was more frequent in the medSR group. One should consider the risk of medial cuff failure and incomplete healing of the repaired cuff before choosing the repair technique for medium-sized supraspinatus tears. Level I, therapeutic, prospective, randomized trial.